Supporting farming communities’ cultural heritage

13 November 2017

Author: Briony Davey, Lake District National Park Farming Officer

Farmers play a vital role in the Lake District, and that is why I’m here to give them a voice and the support they need. My role as the Farming Officer had a busy start, supporting local agricultural shows in the Lake District by sponsoring classes, such as Herdwick and Swaledale sheep. Small agricultural shows struggle to keep going without financial support, so I hope that our contribution has made a real difference. We have sponsored different classes at 20 shows this year, the sponsorship money goes towards the prizes for the classes that we support.

Agricultural shows have a long history in the UK, as far back as 1768! Shows like these enable farmers to showcase their livestock ready for market but have also evolved to become an important date on the social calendar for rural areas. Many small shows take place throughout the Lake District each year.

Agricultural shows are a key part of rural life, farmers are working towards these events all year and are proud to attend with their best stock that they put their hearts and souls into producing. The Lake District National Park has been sponsoring the shows for the past eight years and we hope our support helps ensure these shows can continue, they are a key part of our farming communities’ cultural heritage.

The season has been fantastic, the highlights for me this year included the very first show I attended at Penrith Auction. We sponsored the Young Handlers show prior to the sale and it was fantastic to see the next generation of farmers in the making. I also really enjoyed Grayrigg show, it is great to support our National Park extension area.

We’re already looking ahead to next year’s schedule and I’m looking forward to meeting more farmers and to admire all their hard work.

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The Lake District National Park Authority looks after this unique corner of England, encouraging people to enjoy and understand its beauty and helping those who live and work here. Our staff include rangers and field workers, advisers at our visitor centres, planners and ecologists.